I have never been good at making friends. I began taking high school classes when I was in middle school, so I became familiar with the people at that high school and became ingrained in their social circles. I was in marching band at the same high school while in 8th grade and was invited to play alongside them in their concerts. I went to four different preschools, and two elementary schools, so middle school was the first time I had been somewhere for the entire time. The middle school I attended was attached to the building that the high school was in, meaning that friends I had made in other grades were never far away. It created a community where we didn't have to worry about when we would see each other again because we were always together. Even though I was still in middle school, I got to see my friends in high school every day through classes, band, and other programs. All of this changed when I chose to apply to non-traditional high schools. We were in the midst of Covid, but if anything, the beginning of quarantine brought us all even closer. We could spend all day on phone calls, finding non-restriction-breaking ways to meet each other, and we no longer had the divide of the buildings between all of us. The Covid-19 pandemic lasted from the middle of my eighth-grade year to the beginning of my sophomore year. I thought that being in a non-traditional school would not change that many things. I mean we had lasted quarantine, how different could a new school be? I had permission to still do marching band at my old school, and in my county, you can go to school functions like prom and football games at other schools as long as you know someone who goes there. I thought everything would be normal. It was not. I think it was partially due to Covid, but also just that I was somewhere different. My school got out at a different time, was on the other side of the county, had different programs, and different people. I could not do band because my school got out after theirs, and with Covid many programs were not able to continue, meaning I lost that connection as well. Other school functions were canceled, we could not see each other, and I lost all contact with them. The second high school I went to was a mixture of people from all over the county. None of us knew each other, and we were forced to have our first year of high school completely virtually. Our second year was a mixture, but we were mostly face-to-face, but the previous year separated us. After that year, we all transferred over to the university campus. None of us were really friends with each other, and now we had no reason to see each other because we no longer had classes together. All of this meant that I had to find ways to make friends in other ways. I participated in extracurriculars that allowed me to meet new people and make new friends. While switching from one high school to another to a college campus was difficult, I learned a lot. I learned that you are able to make better connections with people when you have to make an effort to see them. You also do not have to have a traditional high school experience to be able to experience the same things everyone else does.

Criminal justice has been my passion for the past seven years. Many people say that they want to go into law because that is what "x" family member did, or because they want money, but that is not my plan. My name is Rebecca Shook and I intend on majoring in Criminology/Criminal Justice and furthering my education by attending law school. My ultimate goal is to become a criminal defense attorney, and most likely to work in the Public Defender's Office. If you are unfamiliar with the Public Defender's Office, it is my state's version of the office that provides legal assistance for those who have been charged with a crime and are unable to afford their own representation. Most people who work in defense choose to go the private route as it pays significantly more than public work, as well as that Public Defenders are often overworked and are given the most difficult caseloads. This is something that I am well aware of, and while I know that it is a difficult and often unrewarding path to go down, it is what I am passionate about. I also have not been sheltered about the occurrences within the public criminal justice system. I have been a part of a county-organized program called "Teen Court" which allows juveniles charged with crimes to go through a system run by their peers in order to get community service and "jury duty" which allows students to keep their offenses off of their permanent record. This program has allowed me to connect with students and help them understand what they did and the consequences that could have ensued if they had not been admitted into the program. I have maintained connections with some of the people I have worked with and it has allowed me to see that this program that I have dedicated seven years of my life to has helped others gain control of their lives back. I also know that oftentimes the people that end up in the justice system are there for reasons that are out of their control. I live in a county with one of the highest rates of human trafficking and drug trafficking in the country. I also live in a county with countless kids who are in the foster care system and have been failed by this system. Through my work with the Public Defender's Office and the District Attorney's Office, I have learned many ways that the system is currently working on changing so that it can be focused on rehabilitating rather than punishing, as the system often sees repeat offenders awaiting new charges every day. The issue is that these changes need more support, and they need more leaders to push new changes and programs forward. I want to be one of these leaders and to be able to continue making a difference in my community.

Cliches are cliches for a reason, often because they are true or because they hold value. In this case, my cliche is that my favorite song from Taylor Swift's '1989' album is 'Shake It Off.' This song is one that you can play and almost everyone will know instantly what it is. The lyrics are memorable, and are easy to remember, and they roll right off the tongue. This song was also most people's introduction to Taylor Swift, including mine. While know I have become a fairly educated Swiftie, I like to remember where my journey began in my love for music. When I was younger we used to move around a lot because of my father's job. By the time I was five I had lived in so many houses I could not even count them. This also meant a lot of time was spent traveling, which meant a lot of time listening to music. We listened to CD's of what my parents wanted most of the time, but sometimes if I was lucky they would turn the radio to the pop station and I could listen to the music that everone else did. When we moved, I also had to switch schools. This, added with the social anxiety that I have experienced for most of my life, meant that I had a really hard time learning to connect with people, especially people my own age. However, one thing that I found was that music was a way that people can connect. I attended another new school at six years old, after being moved away from the friends that I had made. For the first several weeks I had a very hard time adjusting to the newness of the school and area we had moved to, and I had made no friends. Then, one day at recess a younger teacher decided that we as a class had earned the privelege of listening to music at recess. On came the radio, and on came the beloved pop station. After a few songs, most of the students had gone to play, but me and one other girl stayed. Then 'Shake It Off' came on, and we began to sing and dance together, and I made a real friend, and a friendship that lasted. There have been many other friends made from this song, from screaming the lyrics at school dances, to helping a French student learn English, this community has given me many people. Taylor Swift promotes community in her fans. She wants her fanbase to be accepting and loving and to teach rather than to exclude. 'Shake it Off' is a song that almost everyone knows. It allows the most knowledgeable Swifities to have a connection to those that are not as deep into the relm of the culture. This song has allowed us as a community to expand and to learn to love sharing the wonders of the music written by Taylor Swift.

I am passionate about equity and justice in my community. I believe that everyone should have a chance at life and that people make mistakes. I want to pursue law after I get out of high school and get my undergraduate degree. Specifically, I would like to pursue criminal defense law. I know several people who have been convicted of crimes that they did not commit, as well as people who have been given extreme sentences for minor crimes. I think that the justice system can be unfair, and I want to make a change in that. One way that I have already begun doing this is through a local program where I live called Teen Court. This is a restorative justice program that allows teenagers to go through a process that will not go on their records. There is no chance of going to juvie or jail, instead, it gives students sentences of community service, jury duty sessions, and rehabilitation programs. The program works by having cases that are selected and then they are prosecuted, defended, and judged by local students who volunteer their time to better the community. I have been a defense attorney in this program for 6 years, and I intend to continue doing it until I age out of the program. This program has allowed me to experience our community in so many ways, as well as the chance to meet many important and influential individuals. I have spoken several times with the mayor, I have spoken with the police chief, many of the head judges in the local court system, and so many more amazing people. I have also gotten to work very closely with the District Attorney in my area. I was able to participate in a Leadership Academy that he hosted this past summer, which allowed me to have several new opportunities such as touring the jail, viewing actual court cases, and visiting a local organization that promotes rehabilitation by providing support in all aspects of life for those who cannot afford very much. I am also a part of a county-wide group called the Equity Committee that is working to achieve equity in our school system for all people. This has also led me to attend a conference at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill called the Catalyst Conference that was all about equity around North Carolina, and it allowed us to learn about the differences across the state as we were all from different parts of the state. I always try and stand up for others because I know what it is like to not have that opportunity. Pursuing a career in law is something that I have always wanted to do, but I know that it will not be easy. I attend a conference at the NC Legislature building, and I was very discriminated against. There were many people there, but I was one of the very few girls. When we went and sat in the legislature building, it was clear that it was built with men in mind, the chairs were raised to the point that none of the girl's feet could touch, and everything was built much larger. I was told by a female legislator that it was done on purpose to intimidate and because there were so many men. However, I still plan to pursue my dreams and go into the field I want, because I want to make a difference, whether that is to one person, or one thousand.

One aspect in my community that I want to see a change in is the disparity in the accessibility of resources for students with lower income. I am a Girl Scout who was told to choose a project for my Silver Award and while I was waiting in my mother's office at school, I overheard two girls talking about how one of them really needed a new pair of pants but that they did not know how to get any and that her parents were working and could not afford a new pair. I knew that the school had a ton of stuff for situations like this, but when I sat down and talked with the social worker, he told me that it was all in locked offices and was unorganized. I decided then that this was the issue that I wanted to tackle. I began my project during the lockdown part of the Covid-19 pandemic, so I had access to the whole school by myself. I reorganized an old office that no one had used in years and began talking to different organizations in order to get donations. I first communicated with the counselors about what we already had and was allowed to go through all of the supplies and sort through what we had. We already had things that had been donated such as brand new shoes and bags full of old clothing, however, some of it was stuff that you could tell no one would ever want to use, and my mission was not to make these kids feel like they are getting hand-me-downs, but rather for them to be getting things that were nice and that they would feel comfortable using, because being in school and worrying that no one will sit by you because you have not had a shower in weeks or that you have been wearing the same clothes since Monday, is not something that a child should be worrying about more than their academics. I then was able to sort through the schools lost and found, which is normally just donated to Goodwill, and choose the pieces that I thought would be able to be cleaned up well and would be unidentifiable for the students recieving the items. I reached out to a local dentists office who donated a ton of toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss for the students to have access to. A local church reached out and offered some of the kits that they had made for the homeless, as they had made more than they needed and wanted them to go somewhere. Then I reached out to the diaper bank who donated feminine hygiene products, leggings and underwear for girls of all sizes, from 2XS to 4XL, which was amazing, as we had been struggling to get donations in for plus-sized students. Then I hosted a drive to collect new and gently used makeup bags and got a group of students together to sort through the bags and then create kits for girls to keep in their backpacks. I had so many other donations from a large group of people throughout my community such as food, shoes, socks, bike helmets, and so many other things. However, through all of this I was wondering, how I was supposed to get any of the students to reach out and actually use what I have created for them. So many people struggle with asking for help and the counselors had told me as such, so I created a Google Form and posted the QR code outside the door of the office. The form asked them for their name and homeroom and offered them a place to check off the things that they need and gave them a space to share the other things that they needed assistance with. This provided the counselors a way to discreetly give the students what they need so that they would not have to be pulled from class and miss valuable instruction time, as well as spare them some of the embarrassment they may have from asking for help. Inside the closet, I also included a pushpin wall where people can write encouraging things, things they are struggling with, as well as providing resources to things such as local foodbanks, domestic abuse shelters, and the Trevor Project, so that students can not only have their physical needs met but also their emotional and mental needs as well. This project has been all about community, and so I have titled it the Community Closet Project. So far, I have completed the "Falcon Community Closet," and I have several others in progress as well. Because, community in schools is something that needs to be nurtured, as we are nurturing the future generations of leaders.

If I had $1,000 right now I would probably donate it. I know that that sounds like a basic answer, but it is what I truly would do. Even though I am financially stable at the moment, I know that I will be on my own in just two years, with parents who are unwilling to help to fund my dream of pursuing Marine Biology. With that being said, I have experienced being lower class, I know what it is like to have a freezer full of "random stew," something we used to have that was made of all of the frozen and canned items we had that had not been used that we would put together and make last for weeks. I know what it is like to not be able to have everything that everyone else has, to go to your friend's house and be confused by their refrigerator because they have a top of the line, super high-tech one, especially compared to yours that came with the house and is most definitely older than you are. However, if there is one thing that I have learned from all of my experiences, it is that working towards something and feeling like you have earned what you are receiving is the best feeling. Even if it is something as simple as submitting a short essay, at least I put the work into it. So, I think that I would give the $1,000 to someone who needs it more.

"Creativity is seeing what others see and thinking what no one else ever thought." -Albert Einstien This quote reminds me of what creativity means to me. I am a creative person who is going into a field that is commonly thought of as "boring" and "plain," but I want to be able to show that it does not always have to be. I am an arts student, I have been in countless musicals and plays in both crew and cast. I play many instruments such as baritone, mellophone, trumpet, ukelele, and primarily I am a recognized trombone player. I have been in many choruses and singing groups. I have had artwork showcased in exhibitions and worked with artists in art classes. I was once a dancer and have done ballet, tap, contemporary, and jazz dancing. I believe that being creative through the arts is important, but unfortunately, I feel called toward the path of law school. I have had many people tell me that I am wasting my creative mind and efforts by going into such a dull career path, but what they do not realize is that part of being a lawyer is coming up with creative solutions to figure out how to properly represent your client. It is learning to understand new points and finding ways to raise awareness about the topics that you are interested in. It is learning new paths and being able to learn and adapt to new situations and topics that are uncomfortable. Creativity has many meanings, it does not have to just be in a physical form of creating unique art, it is also creating unique ideas that no one else has ever thought.

Ever since I was little I have always had a passion for animals and for the planet. I would go to the Aquarium and to the zoo and I would do trash cleanups with my parents. After growing up in a community that is very environmentally conscious, I was able to decide that I want to go into Environmental Law in the Marine Biology Branch. I know that on top of an undergraduate degree, law school will add to my future debts and will elongate the time I will have before I will fully be in the workforce, meaning that I will be very financially unstable for many years. To battle this, I applied for and was accepted into an Early College High School program, which allows me to complete all of high school in two years, and then have two years at a state university paid for, and while this will help with costs, I still am struggling to figure out how to pay for all of the schooling that what I want to do will require. Not to mention that I will also be required to do interning before I am able to obtain a job, which is another financial barrier. I want to be able to help save our planet and save the animals and history preserved within our home, but it will require a lot of time and effort to achieve my goals.

I think that the most inspiring book that I have read is "The Art of Being Normal" by Lisa Williamson. This book covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to me. Being a student who resides in an environment in which it is unsafe to be myself is a lonely experience. This book showed me that there is a possibility to be who I am and overcome the things that I have gone through. One of the things that resonated most with me in this book is how one of the characters was taken into the woods and assaulted for being a transgender youth. My appearances often lead people to assume things about me, and more often than not with me living in the south, it ends poorly for me. I have experienced many hate crimes in my life, such as having a group of boys scream slurs at me and throw bleach on my skin, leaving behind chemical burns. This book showed me that it is possible to be yourself even after bad things have happened. I feel as though this book showed the struggles of being in a home and not knowing whether or not you will be accepted for who you are, and struggling to finding solace and comfort in those around you. Most books regarding LGBTQIA+ issues over-sexualizes the characters and romanticizes the struggles that people go through, however, this book portrayed the struggles in a realistic standpoint. Typically I enjoy reading YA books about controversial and difficult topics, but by far this book is the one that has been the most inspiring to me.

There is no one "solution" for helping with mental health. I think that one of the most important things when pursuing a way to assist people in their journey's through mental health. Each person is their own person, and each person will have their own needs and wants. I think that it is important to learn to connect with people and understand who they are and what they have been through to better understand how you can assist people. I think that all too often, people believe they can post one thing on social media about "tips to better yourself," or "how to spot a friend who may need help," but in reality, promoting mental health as something that can be "fixed" is actually doing more harm than good. I think that the best solution to help more people who struggle with mental health is to take the time out of your day to actually help the people around you. Doing things like claiming to be an advocate when you never actually do anything about the topic you are passionate about does nothing besides hurt those that you claim to be helping. All too often , people will claim that they have always been there for you, when they never have been. In extreme circumstances, when someone is no longer capable of defending themself to others, that is when people will suddenly begin to feign their care. So, what can you do to help more people who struggle with mental health? You need to show that you truly care about their struggles, and take the time to get to understand their struggles, and even just do something nice for them. You never know how the smallest gesture could make the biggest impact. Your one kind action could save a life.

As I sat in front of the huge glass pane with the water crashing against it and the turtle that seemed like the biggest creature I would ever see, I heard the instructor telling us that this magnificent creature was endangered and could potentially be on the brink of extinction. I knew that I wanted to help to change that. It was not until later on in life that I realized that I want to go into Environmental Law, with a concentration in issues related to marine biology. This means that I will be going on to get a Master's degree in Marine Biology, and then continue onto law school. I have lived in coastal NC for most of my life, and I have been impacted by the leaders in my community who have shown I have been going to the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher even before I moved here. I practically grew up in museums, gardens parks, zoos, and aquariums. I have always had a passion for animals and the beauty of nature. I have always thought that nature is one of the most beautiful things, however in the naivety of my youth I was unable to realize that the beauty I saw then would change even just in the few short years that would lead me to where I am now. I think that the world that we live in is blind and ignorant to the struggles that our planet is suffering through. Even the people that do not turn their heads to this never actually do anything about it. Change requires more than just the minimal efforts of a few people, it requires many people's best efforts, as well as the focused efforts of a few. I want to be one of the people who focuses on this issue. I want to conduct my own research experiments and learn about the struggles that our world is facing, and how we can change things for the better. One topic that I have conducted some of my own research on is barriers for preventing coastal erosion, as it affects the area in which I live. I conducted an experiment that simulated the conditions of a hurricane on the coast and tested how different preventative measures would affect the sand. I also have conducted research with animals through the aquarium and some of their behavioral tendencies. I have also researched the chemical composition of the water in my area, as we struggle with pollution issues due to hog farms and factories. I have also used drag nets to analyze the changes in populations in specific areas. I am interested in these topics, as well as many others, and I would love the opportunity to pursue my dreams and gain a better understanding of these topics. I would be very grateful for the opportunities that would be provided by this scholarship, as I want to be able to pursue my goals in STEM. Having seen the things that I have in my research, all of the suffering, all of the rapid changes in my local environment, and all of the species that are dying off, I have known that I need to help to make a difference

I want to make a difference in my community, my state, my world. I want to go on to become an attorney in Environmental Law. I want to go on to University and get a degree in Marine Biology/Marine Sciences. I want to be able to advocate and save our planet, because it needs our help. It needs people who can take a stand and do things for the better. I want to be able to foster teenagers, because I have had family and friends who have been in the foster care system who I have had to see struggle, and I want to be able to help them. I know so many people who have been mistreated and who have never known what it is like to be cared for, and I want to be able to change that. I want to continue on with the arts and continue to educate young people in the wonders of playing instruments, and sharing my musical gift with the world, because the arts are a dying subject and I want to allow creativity back into the minds of the future generations, because without things like theater, music, and visual arts, our world will be drained of the vibrant colors that bring light into everyone's lives. I want to make a difference. I want to be someone that people can look up to and think "wow," who knew that someone could do so much. I want to be someone who when the people that told me that I would never make it, they realize that they were wrong. I want to make a difference.

It gives very little to do the wrong thing, but a whole lot to do the right.

I think that the meaning of life is to experience what life throws at you and learn to process and heal from what happens and to understand that everything in life has a purpose. Having a plan is important, but you also must be able to accept the curveballs that life throws at you and learn how to grow from the struggles and difficulties that are inevitable. I plan to try and achieve this by following my dreams while also accepting that things will not always go my way.